PFF grades agree: Broncos should have taken Ramczyk over Bolles

When the Denver Broncos were searching for a franchise left tackle last year, those two men were the top two tackle prospects in the draft. And while Bolles had a decent, up-and-down year, Ramczyk was lights-out for the New Orleans Saints.

Pro Football Focus recently released their grades for all 32 first-round draft picks, and it’s easy to see Ramczyk was the best offensive lineman of any taken in 2017’s first round.

Ramczyk finished with an 83.6 overall grade, and according to PFF’s list of the top 25 offensive linemen this year, which was compiled after Week 14, the Saints rookie was listed as the 21st-best linemen in the league.

Conversely, Bolles graded out as a 68.8, a D if he were still in school. Bolles, at times, was very good. And then the next week, dipped as he allowed far too many sacks and committed a second-most in the NFL 12 penalties.

But, it’s not just the “high tech” stats from Pro Football Focus which say Ramczyk was better — the “raw” stats agree.

Ramczyk allowed a mere two sacks and was called for four penalties in 2017. Bolles gave up 8.5 sacks and was called for 12 total penalties, as he certainly looked like a rookie while Ramczyk was more like a seasoned veteran for the Saints.

This isn’t to say Bolles was a complete miss for the Broncos. He showed some growth this season and, in all likelihood, will continue to improve as his career moves forward. But, Ramczyk is already a stud and has that same opportunity to grow, too.

Ramczyk has been a key piece on that offensive line of New Orleans, who are currently in the playoffs.

Simply, Denver has to hope Bolles does develop into that franchise left tackle and then the Broncos need to go out and draft another tackle this year, this time on the right side.